
The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World
The Twin Towers, Windows on the World, and the Rebirth of New York
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Narrated by:
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Richard Ferrone
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By:
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Tom Roston
About this listen
The remarkable story of a restaurant on top of the world - built by a legend, destroyed in tragedy - and an era in New York City it helped to frame
In the 1970s, New York City was plagued by crime, filth, and an ineffective government. The city was falling apart, and even the newly constructed World Trade Center threatened to be a fiasco. But in April 1976, a quarter-mile up on the 107th floor of the North Tower, a new restaurant called Windows on the World opened its doors - a glittering sign that New York wasn't done just yet.
In The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World, journalist Tom Roston tells the complete history of this incredible restaurant, from its stunning $14-million opening to 9/11 and its tragic end. There are stories of the people behind it, such as Joe Baum, the celebrated restaurateur, who was said to be the only man who could outspend an unlimited budget; the well-tipped waiters; and the cavalcade of famous guests, as well as everyday people celebrating the key moments in their lives. Roston also charts the changes in American food, from baroque and theatrical to locally sourced and organic. Built on nearly 150 original interviews, The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World is the story of New York City's restaurant culture and the quintessential American drive to succeed.
©2019 Tom Roston. Published in 2019 by Abrams Press, an imprint of Abrams, Inc. All rights reserved (P)2019 Blackstone PublishingListeners also enjoyed...
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Thorough and Detailed History
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Incredible story of a great restaurant and a great city
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Great history of World Trade Center and NYC
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The story is rich in detail - think Robert Caro - and has a great narrative. It brings back memories of first visiting New York and the special place that was Windows on the World. Highly recommend.
New Yorkers Must Listen
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Very detailed foodie history of WTC and NYC
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Windows on the world
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History and heartbreak
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Really really good
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Part of the story not heard
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Couldn't stop listening! Beautifully done!
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